Introduction
Culture is not static, rather changeable or dynamic, depending on times, people influences etcetera, I would agree with Edward Burnett Tylor that traditions and/or customs are a part of the culture, not necessarily what should be defining the culture (Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, 2004) therefore it would perhaps more correct to look at the countries unique customs.
In this essay I shall analyze what is considered to be the Swedish culture as clearer defined under Identifying and Explaining my Roots culture and get more in depth of the differences or even possible similarities of each nation, Sweden and Canada. I shall also try to show as to why internationally Swedes is associated with brand names such as IKEA and VOLVO and why it is that these household names are a part of the Swedish culture
Throughout the analyze I shall get insight if there are any Swedish holidays I would like to see implemented in Canada, and/or is there any Canadian holidays I felt that I missed throughout my years in Sweden? Is there any group or maybe a special gathering for Swedish immigrants in Toronto? How has the years in Sweden affected my possibility to adapt in Canada? Am I required to assimilate by means of giving up my Swedish identity and culture in order to fit in? What is the lifestyle of, and how are people from Sweden adapting in Canada? What are the stereotypes Swedish people have of Canadians and vice versa, and is it founded? Is it necessary to assimilate or can one live with both diversities side by side and integrated? These are some of the questions I am going to address, sometimes from personal experience but also based on facts.
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Born in Canada and migrated to Sweden at the age of six, I have had an opportunity to be a part of a culture with traditions that differ considerably to that of the Canadian due to the fact that the Swedish culture and traditions having considerably more centuries to affect the culture and incorporate strong traditions. As a Canadian born into a multicultural family, mother Swedish and father Canadian it is vital to disclose that my mother is also bi-cultural, part Swedish, part Caribbean. For me it has mainly affected the food customs with all different ethnical heritages, nevertheless, food is a major part of, which may in fact be considered culture and tradition, with that said, my mother who was born in Sweden, raised there with predominately Swedish customs and values it is reasonable to assume that I would be considered to be a Swede, at least by an outsiders view. Although this may be predominant, I have also had a Canadian father by my side. Ironically, also he has a bi/multicultural background with parents from Germany and Holland. His heritage is not unlike many other Canadians. It is thereby well founded to say that culture is changeable, adaptable. I would say that the Swedish culture has centuries of traditions and also they have depicted my values and ways.
As outlined above my background clearly shows that I have a lot of factors to take into consideration trying to outline my own culture. By far my nationality by definition is Canadian, however, my language has been predominantly Swedish due to living there. My race or ethnical background foretells that there is more to me than what one would consider (stereotype) a swede by means of not being blond.

Reflection on my practice on my culture

I do not practice religion, rather born into a denomination. I was, however, Christened in the Norwegian seamen’s church in Toronto. The seamen’s church is a fascinating as there are over 30 churches globally (Norwegian Seamen Churches in the World, u.d.) the majority of Swedish belong to the Lutheran protestant church (Lutheran church in Sweden, u.d.). The churches are more so a way of meeting other Scandinavian fellow men rather than practicing a religion as the Sweden is secular. The Scandinavians are seafarers as we know through the history of the Vikings, but also this profession carried on, hence the need for their churches. Of course the settlements of the new world, the Americas also meant that a lot of Swedish people emigrated in the 1850 due to the poverty in Sweden. A fact is that there are 67,240 swedes in Canada (Swedish Population in Ontario, 2006) even though we clearly are a minority, we have still managed to influence you Torontonians, mostly through the Scandinavian sense of style, fashion and design, but even with our food and small coffee shops. On the following link you can explore some of the Scandinavian culture and shops around Toronto: http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/08/a_scandinavian_guide_to_toronto/
Our traditional holidays stem from Christian traditions, but also Viking pagan. We do not celebrate Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day etc., however Halloween is gradually becoming a part of a culture. Originating from Ireland, Swedes view this as an American thing and Swedes generally follow/look upon the US as “thing to be”. Midsummer Eve is a tradition which I enjoy and will miss. It falls between Friday the 19th and the 25th of June. This is the longest day and the shortest night until the days get shorter. Walpurgis which is a Catholic holiday (30th of April) (Walpurgis night, u.d.) is another major holiday which is Germanic in its origin and carries an interesting story of witches and quite the opposite of Christian beliefs.
After doing some research I found out that you could go to the Swedish church in York Mills, Toronto, to celebrate these holidays, actually the church that I was christened in (Swedish Church in Toronto, u.d.). Midsummer and Walpurgis, these holidays are considered to be days that you get together with friends and family and eat, drink and dance. If there is any holiday I am going to miss it would definitely be midsummer, the gathering of friends and family, combined with all of the great foods and beverage is something that you really can´t miss out on. Also, a lot of people go on their summer vacation around this time of the year, which makes it a perfect start to your summer. I am not a religious person and therefore will not attend the church for religious events, however, if in the future I’d like to attend a Swedish gathering and it was to take place in the Swedish church, I would consider doing that.
Stereotypes
The Swedish influence by means of design is well known by names such as IKEA and also our glass, Kosta Boda. In fact Ikea even had an advertisement globally - Swedish for common sense! That coupled with the safety of which Volvo has built their brand name, summons the stereotypical swede, practical, safety conscious and yet very particular about their clean cut design. This also shows throughout the art, which is also minimalistic. Similarly Canadians are associated in Sweden with ice-hockey and cold weather. Volvo and Ikea two stereotypical, parts of the Swedish culture, true, yet I see the world through a young person’s eyes therefore not necessarily conclusive. Had I remained in Sweden the likelihood of me furnishing my home like 90% of the rest of the population with Ikea would be probable! Actually the homes are very similar, not so personal. Every young person getting their driver’s license gets a Volvo 240 because it’s what we consider cult. The alcohol culture is different. Like Canada we have a dedicated liquor store. Drinking age is twenty. In Sweden most people do not drink throughout the week instead they tend to drink excessively during the weekends. In later years the swedes are adapting a more continental way of social drinking, yet they are not excluding the heavy weekend binging. Swedish youth has a reputation in holiday places such as the Mediterranean for drinking and partying and I would say that this is a reputation that there lies a lot of validity behind.
Canadian Influence Thanksgiving is a celebration that not practiced in Sweden. This is a holiday that I really like and that I have had the chance to be a part of from young age due to my father. The main reason would be the food because we do not eat turkey in Sweden and this is a great opportunity to do so. My family has got together on thanksgiving and we have made our own turkey and feasted, it wasn’t something we did every year, but it was something I as a child appreciated, and still do today. I am very lucky this year, my girlfriend will be coming from Sweden to visit me in Toronto, and we will be celebrating thanksgiving together with my family. Focusing Forward Being born in Toronto and returning to my hometown after 16 years is something that I think can only affect me in a very positive way. I have had a great opportunity to be a part of the Swedish culture and lifestyle, it really is a great country to raise a child in and I do understand my parents for taking me there as a child, but now I think it is time for me to move on, to explore the country I was born in, and exploring it’s culture. As I have been in school for nearly a month now I have had the chance to meet lots of new people and everyone has been very interested in how Sweden is to live in. I haven’t really come across any prejudices except when I was asked once if I ever went to Ikea in Toronto when I felt homesick, ha-ha. As I have been spending my vacation in Toronto for the past 2 years, I have got a firm idea of how things work around here by now. People for example are by far way friendlier than back in Sweden, Canadians in general have a very open personality where you feel welcomed most of the time, this on the other hand is very rare in Sweden. There you kind of live inside your own little square, of course there is exceptions but I am speaking in general. This has affected me a little bit, but it is not something that would affect my career or future here, as I already have adapted to the kindness. People ask if I have any intension of ever moving back to Sweden, as I feel right now I would really like to stay and start a family here in Toronto, I love that it is so multicultural and open to people from all over the world. Personally it feels like I have had my years in Sweden and I find that the Canadian living standards are very similar to the Swedish ones. My sister`s plan is to move here as well and in that case my parents would most likely move here to, then all I have to do is convince my girlfriend to move here, which she already thinking about for next fall, and I will be all set for my future here in Toronto.